Landlord and Tenant Board paralegal in Guelph

The Landlord and Tenant Board is a tribunal, not a court. It decides disputes between residential landlords and tenants across Ontario, and almost every problem with a residential tenancy has to go there first. Its orders can be enforced through the courts.

If you've been given a notice or an application, it matters that you understand exactly what it means and how to respond. That's where we start.

1. A notice

   Most cases start with the landlord giving the tenant a notice to end the tenancy, or with a tenant raising a problem.

2. An application

   If the problem isn't fixed, one side applies to the Board, and the Board sets a hearing date.

3. The hearing

   Most hearings are held by video. On the day, the Board often offers mediation so both sides can try to agree.

4. The order

   The Board decides and issues a written order. Either side can ask for a review within 15 days if they think it's wrong.

5. Enforcement

   Only the Sheriff can carry out an eviction order (see how a Sheriff eviction works). An order to pay money can be collected through the court.

Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act took effect on July 1 and September 21, 2026. The main ones:

• Unpaid rent: the notice period for monthly rent is now 7 days instead of 14, for notices given on or after September 21, 2026.
• Raising other issues at a rent hearing: the tenant must first pay the landlord half of the arrears claimed, at least 7 days before the hearing.
• Own use: with at least 120 days' notice, a landlord who needs the unit for themselves or family no longer has to pay compensation. Someone should normally move in within 60 days of the date on the notice.
• Persistent late rent: rent more than 7 days late at least 3 times in six months now counts.
• Reviews: 15 days to ask the Board to review an order, down from 30, since July 1, 2026.
• Forms: older versions of several notices and applications won't be accepted after November 30, 2026.

Laura goes through each change in her article on the September 21, 2026 changes.

Sources: Tribunals Ontario operational updates of June 30, 2026 and September 21, 2026.